Organised Labour is preparing to meet on Tuesday, October 1, to make a final decision on its planned nationwide protest against the government’s silence on the fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
This meeting comes after several associations and unions signaled their intent to protest at the end of September if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not declare a state of emergency regarding the rampant destruction of rivers and forest reserves caused by illegal miners.
Illegal mining, or galamsey, has long been a thorn in the side of the nation, with its devastating effects on the environment, including the pollution of major water bodies and the degradation of forest reserves. The failure of successive governments to effectively tackle the problem has led to growing frustration among various groups, with labour unions now gearing up to take matters into their own hands.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, Abdul Moomin Gbana, a body under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), spoke to Citi News on Sunday, September 29, expressing the resolve of Organized Labour to address the government’s inaction. According to him, the leadership of the unions will meet on October 1 to review the progress of their demands and decide on the way forward concerning the protest.
“The leadership of Organised Labour, after the notice that we sent and the demands that we put forward, we have agreed that we will meet hopefully on Tuesday, the 1st of October, to review all that has happened over the period and then consolidate our position on the way forward,” Mr. Gbana said.
The unions had previously set a deadline for the end of September, demanding the government take concrete action in the form of a state of emergency declaration to combat illegal mining. Mr. Gbana indicated that the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting will likely result in an endorsement of their initial plans for the protest. He added that there was little reason to believe that Organised Labour would deviate from its original stance.
“I don’t think that Organised Labour in any way will deviate from our original plan. Our original plan holds. Hopefully, on Tuesday, I want to believe that it will be an endorsement of the plan that we put forward and, indeed, the demands that we have made on the president,” he stated.
Organised Labour’s decision to take such a strong stance on the issue of galamsey reflects the deep concern many Ghanaians feel about the ongoing environmental destruction and the government’s perceived inaction.
Illegal mining has not only threatened the country’s natural resources but also jeopardized the livelihoods of millions who depend on clean water and arable land. Communities near galamsey sites have been especially hard-hit, with rivers that once provided clean water now heavily polluted with mercury and other harmful chemicals.
Beyond the environmental consequences, there is a broader concern that the government’s failure to address the galamsey problem could undermine its credibility.
President Akufo-Addo, who once pledged to wage a fierce war against illegal mining, has come under increasing criticism for his administration’s lack of progress on this front. Mr. Gbana did not mince words when discussing the president’s silence during a recent public appearance, chastising him for failing to address the issue during his speech at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards night on Saturday, September 28.
“It is clear that the President is either overwhelmed with the whole illegal mining menace. It is either he is giving up on the fight, or he simply wants to tell the Ghanaian people that we cannot call the bluff on him,” Mr. Gbana said.
His comments reflect a growing sense of disillusionment among Ghanaians who feel that the government has not lived up to its promises regarding the fight against galamsey.
Many in Organised Labour see this protest as a crucial step in holding the government accountable. They believe that the president’s failure to address illegal mining directly impacts the future of the country and must be treated as a national emergency.
With the continued degradation of rivers and forest reserves, there is a real fear that Ghana’s natural resources will be lost for future generations if immediate action is not taken.
The upcoming meeting on October 1 will be a critical moment for Organised Labour, as the leadership decides whether to move forward with the nationwide protest. Should they choose to proceed, it would mark a significant escalation in the ongoing pressure on the government to take decisive action against illegal mining.
For many, this protest is not just about environmental protection but also about ensuring that the government lives up to its commitments and demonstrates that it is capable of governing in the interest of all Ghanaians.
In the meantime, the public awaits the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting, with many hoping that it will lead to stronger action on the galamsey issue.
Organised Labour’s determination to stand up for the environment and hold the government accountable could be a turning point in the fight against illegal mining. However, the success of their efforts will ultimately depend on the government’s willingness to listen to the concerns of its people and take meaningful steps to address the problem.
As the nation watches, the decisions made by Organised Labour and the government in the coming days will likely shape the future of Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
The stakes are high, and the public’s patience is wearing thin. All eyes are now on Tuesday’s meeting to see whether the unions will move forward with their protest and whether the government will respond to their demands before the situation escalates further.
